WASHINGTON (DC News Now) — The delivery surge is coming ahead of the busy holiday season and a new study is examining the scale of the package theft problem both across the country and in the D.C. area.
According to the 2024 Package Theft Annual Report and Statistics, 14% of D.C. residents have had a package stolen in the last three months. That’s true for 4% of Marylanders, and 6% of Virginians.
Additionally, nine out of every 10 Americans are worried about stolen holiday packages.
To curb this problem, the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) has installed package lockers at a precinct in each of the city’s eight wards. That’s in addition to many package lockers at grocery stores and gas stations across the District.
Some of those who were utilizing the Amazon locker at a gas station on the corner of 13th & N St., NW on Wednesday said they were using it because one of their packages had been stolen before.
“If a package is delivered to my building and I’m not at home – someone may take it,” said William Brown, who noted one time “was enough.”
Some are hoping more can be done to curb the thieves.
“I don’t know what it takes to reduce theft of packages but right now there is essentially no consequence for anyone taking any packages from any door,” Kyle Flynn said.
Currently, D.C. law hands down a second-degree theft charge, which can occur if the items stolen are worth less than $1,000. It can result in a penalty of up to six months in jail and/or a fine.
In addition to utilizing public package lockers, other preventative measures include ordering packages when you’re home and installing security cameras, according to the report.
